Saturday, July 14, 2012

The Impact of Soft Drinks and Energy Drinks On Wellness

Most people have heard at some point or another, "soda is horrible for you" but the question is- why are they bad?
If
you're like me, being reprimanded and told that "something is bad"
isn't necessarily going to stop me from doing it. I have got to know why
and alternative options always help make the transition easier
So first off- why "soda is bad":
Diet
and regular sodas have both been associated with obesity, kidney
damage, and certain cancers. Soft drinks have also been linked with
elevated blood pressure. The drinks are seen as a major contributor to
the obesity crisis and in a way- it's hardly surprising. Soda is
relatively cheap and they are usually wrongly recognized to be
"low-calorie" items (which obviously, they are not- particularly when
several soft drinks are ingested).
Many reviews indicate that
overweight children and adults consume more sugary drinks than
normal-weight kids and adults, and several studies found that the
greater sugar-sweetened drinks people drank the greater their
probability of becoming overweight. And the following is where not only
soda, but sugary products take it to the next stage: the more sugary
drinks you consume, the more food you usually eat. Why? Due to the
"sugar highs and lows" from the soft drinks and the quantity of
caffeine. Sugary and highly refined foods (and drinks) often hold you
over for 10-15 minutes before you find yourself looking for a snack
again... or another sugary or caffeinated drink. A treat of lean protein
and a complex carb can hold you over for three hours!
Why energy drinks are harmful:
Energy
drinks can be linked to all of the negatives of soda (above). But added
to that is the even HIGHER level of caffeine. With soda the FDA limits
the amount of caffeine can be in soda (65mg per 12 oz), however with
energy drinks, they are certainly not restricted. "The FDA does not
regulate caffeine in energy drinks, some of which, like Cocaine, contain
huge amounts of caffeine: 280 mg in an 8.4-ounce serving, compared with
about 100 mg per 6 ounces in coffee." (Boston Globe)
For the most
part, the increased caffeine has not been discovered to be
"life-threatening". Nonetheless caffeine can increase anxiety, panic,
some stomach problems, and some cardiac arrhythmia.
Drinks high in sugar or caffeine choices:
-flavored
water..not the sort you shop for! Toss a handful of frozen strawberries
inside a water bottle, or have a pitcher of water in your fridge. The
frozen fruit triples as "water flavoring", ice cubes, and a healthy
treat once it's thawed!
-green tea- it's calorie-free (if you have it without milk or sugar) and naturally high in antioxidants
-seltzer
water & juice- you have the fizziness of the soda (without the
majority of the sugar and caffeine) in addition to the flavor of your
favored juice. Again, add pieces of frozen fruit to spice it up!
-soy
milk- effortlessly sweet and are now supplied in a variety of flavors,
including almond and vanilla. The rewards show that soy milk may reduce
your risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. Look for low-fat,
unsweetened soy beverages to minimize calories